Where to get a pair of solar eclipse glasses?

Still need a pair of solar eclipse glasses? Here’s where to find them. (Maybe.)

Capital Weather Gang’s Angela Fritz explains what could happen to your eyes if you were to watch the Aug. 21 eclipse without special sunglasses and how to spot the ones that work. (Claritza Jimenez, Daron Taylor, Angela Fritz/The Washington Post)

We will update this post periodically as we hear of new vendors (or sold-out vendors).

We all know by now that you need to wear special glasses to watch the eclipse. Not only is it harmful to your eyes to stare at the sun, but you really won’t be able to see anything if you don’t have the glasses to filter out most of the sunlight.

Over the past week, glasses have been flying off the shelves everywhere. I spoke with an employee of my local Ace Hardware Thursday afternoon in Arlington, Va., and he told me they had received some more Wednesday and sold the entire shipment in one hour. Geez!

Needless to say, by the time you read this things may have already changed. I recommend looking through our best suggestions and seeing which options are feasible for you. But before you go to any store or vendor, call them to make sure the glasses are still in stock.

And be nice; these people are fielding literally hundreds of calls per day about the glasses.

Nationwide

NASA

NASA is giving away free glasses at its events. Use this map to find an event near you.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker, the super-hip eyeglasses store, announced earlier this month that it is giving away free glasses, but it is already out of stock in some big cities, including Washington. You can see if there’s a Warby Parker store near you here, but make sure to call the store before you make the trip.

7-Eleven

The convenience store is selling approved glasses nationwide, although it’s likely that some of the stores have run out. Fortunately — at least in the big cities — you can’t throw a stone without hitting a 7-Eleven, so you’ll have plenty of backups.

Local hardware stores (like Ace Hardware)

Some locally owned hardware stores have been selling the glasses and may still have some in stock. Call in advance, though!

Special libraries

Some libraries that are part of the STAR-Net program will have a limited number of eclipse glasses. As far as I can tell, it’s up to these libraries to decide how they want to give them away. Some of the libraries have chosen to host eclipse events on Aug. 21, and if you attend you will be given a pair of viewing glasses. Others are giving them away in advance.

To find a library near you that’s giving away glasses, use this map, then visit the website of the library to see how its is handling its giveaway. You may also want to call if you can’t find enough information on the website.

Friends and family

Use your social network to see whether anyone has extra glasses. Post a request on Facebook and your local email lists and forums. Ask your co-workers. You never know!

If you’re buying for a large group

You can purchase a large quantity from American Paper Optics, but you must buy in bulk. At this point, they are only offering FedEx overnight shipping, which will also run you a pretty penny.

“You shouldn’t be able to see anything through a safe solar filter except the Sun itself or something comparably bright, such as the Sun reflected in a mirror, a sunglint off shiny metal, the hot filament of an unfrosted incandescent lightbulb, a bright halogen lightbulb, a bright-white LED flashlight (including the one on your smartphone), or an arc-welder’s torch. All such sources should appear quite dim through a solar viewer.”

Play Video1:24

Fake glasses sell ahead of eclipse

Counterfeit glasses have flooded the market ahead of the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse in a century. (Reuters)

In the D.C. area

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Downtown)Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly, Va.)
Each of these locations is giving away a limited number per day. Both locations open at 10 a.m. When you arrive, head straight to the visitor center to see if they still have some for the day. They are only giving out two pairs per group.

Montgomery County Fair

I’ve received a few tips that there are two guys at a booth near the food at Montgomery County Fair selling eclipse glasses. (If you are these guys, shoot me an email!)

Maketto — 1351 H St. NE.

They aren’t glasses, but they’re just as good. These solar viewers are available in the vending machine at Maketto on H Street.

The Prince George’s libraries are hosting eclipse-viewing events. You need to attend one of the events to get the glasses. Given the limited quantity, young children will be prioritized. Locations: Upper Marlboro, Beltsville, Hillcrest Heights, Largo-Kettering, Laurel, Bowie, Glenarden, Hyattsville and Oxon Hill.

Anne Arundel County Public Library

A limited number of glasses will be provided for attendees during the library’s viewing party.

Arlington Public Libraries

Sold out.

Walmart

The Walmart on Georgia Avenue NW is out of stock, but I have received emails from readers saying they found some at the suburban Walmarts.

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Published by connie dello buono

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